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Physics Nobel Prize 2012

This year it came to a French and an American scientists in the field of Quantum dynamic, trapping elemental particles, and it could lead to enhancement in quantum computing for example. Very exciting news my friends

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

For Stephen Hawking, Nobel comity gives rarely the prize for astronomy, and I think last year was astronomy, so his chances were thin. And I am not familiar with a breakthrough he has made. Maybe his proof that black holes do release some things, a radiation thing. Is that worth a Nobel, I have no idea.

For the application of their discovery (hum rather their experimental breakthrough, as it is more a Nobel in practical thing than in theory, even though that interest mightily quantum mechanic theorists), I'm not sure to be qualified enough to make it understood clearly.
If I may try : principles founding quantum mechanics are extremely difficult to understand mainly because they contradict what we, human, can perceive around us. In quantum mechanics one founding principle is that it is impossible to know both the velocity and the position of a particle at the same time.
If you understand that, you see that it is very difficult to have experience with direct 'proof' of quantum mechanics, as there is always 'uncertainties' in the measurement.

What the Nobel winners have been able to do is to 'trap' singular particular (whether protons or ions) in a near vacuum, which leads to a much easier way to study these particles.

One major invention in computer science is the advance of quantum programming theory and quantum designed computer. The experiments models worthy of the Nobel are a step towards a physical building of such a computer.

You may know that a key element of the upgrade of computers is the size of the components. With quantum computer, the 'bit', or elementary piece of information, could potentially be as little as an electron, whereas nowadays it is more a transistor, and little as they may be now, they are order of magnitude larger than particles. That could lead (I think, as I have never research the subject in details) to computer thousands or millions more powerful and quick.

I think there are others applications too, but I'm even less familiar with them, so I won't speak about them

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

Originally Posted by oakpope

For Stephen Hawking, Nobel comity gives rarely the prize for astronomy, and I think last year was astronomy, so his chances were thin. And I am not familiar with a breakthrough he has made. Maybe his proof that black holes do release some things, a radiation thing. Is that worth a Nobel, I have no idea.

For the application of their discovery (hum rather their experimental breakthrough, as it is more a Nobel in practical thing than in theory, even though that interest mightily quantum mechanic theorists), I'm not sure to be qualified enough to make it understood clearly.
If I may try : principles founding quantum mechanics are extremely difficult to understand mainly because they contradict what we, human, can perceive around us. In quantum mechanics one founding principle is that it is impossible to know both the velocity and the position of a particle at the same time.
If you understand that, you see that it is very difficult to have experience with direct 'proof' of quantum mechanics, as there is always 'uncertainties' in the measurement.

What the Nobel winners have been able to do is to 'trap' singular particular (whether protons or ions) in a near vacuum, which leads to a much easier way to study these particles.

One major invention in computer science is the advance of quantum programming theory and quantum designed computer. The experiments models worthy of the Nobel are a step towards a physical building of such a computer.

You may know that a key element of the upgrade of computers is the size of the components. With quantum computer, the 'bit', or elementary piece of information, could potentially be as little as an electron, whereas nowadays it is more a transistor, and little as they may be now, they are order of magnitude larger than particles. That could lead (I think, as I have never research the subject in details) to computer thousands or millions more powerful and quick.

I think there are others applications too, but I'm even less familiar with them, so I won't speak about them

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

I understand that part of the "problem" in granting the Nobel to Hawking for the black hole emissions (it's called "Hawking Radiation" incidentally) is that it seems like sound theory with indirect support, but there is difficulty in making direct observations to confirm it. They don't want to give out a Nobel for a theory that turns out to be "very nearly right."

Anyone with a greater knowledge of astrophysics care to clarify; this is well beyond my expertise.

Americans need to keep their guns so they can protect themselves from gun violence just like Nancy Lanza did. And like Chris Kyle did. And like Gabby Giffords did. And like Tom Clements did. And like Michael Piemonte. And Joseph Wilcox.

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

I think Hawking should get one just for being nearly right and Higgs for just having convinced so many countries to spend billions on the Collider just on the basis of hypothesis.

If the guys who gave us the quant theory in economics that crashed the world economy in 2008 got a prize and Obama got a prize...then I think it is time for some of my fave guys with the plastic pen pocket protectors to be recognized for their spectacular proposals on matter.

And we're all looking forward to the day when BBninja delivers a speech from the Nobel podium as well.

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

David Wineland is a professor at CU-Boulder (University of Colorado). I jokingly said "I'm guessing 99% of CU-Boulder alumni would gladly swap this Nobel Prize win for a victory in the CU-CSU football game three weeks ago." So far, nobody has disagreed.

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

Originally Posted by bankside

I understand that part of the "problem" in granting the Nobel to Hawking for the black hole emissions (it's called "Hawking Radiation" incidentally) is that it seems like sound theory with indirect support, but there is difficulty in making direct observations to confirm it. They don't want to give out a Nobel for a theory that turns out to be "very nearly right."

Anyone with a greater knowledge of astrophysics care to clarify; this is well beyond my expertise.

There have been claims of Hawking radiation being observed, but nothing has been firmly enough established to be accepted. The moment it is, Hawking will get a Nobel.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

Originally Posted by rareboy

If the guys who gave us the quant theory in economics that crashed the world economy in 2008 got a prize

Who... what????

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

I wonder if Higgs will get one eventually. Nobels are occasionally awarded a decade or more after the data is published originally.

-d-

I think they also have a limit as to the number of recipients per discovery. I thought they had hit the max 3 already regarding the boson.

Americans need to keep their guns so they can protect themselves from gun violence just like Nancy Lanza did. And like Chris Kyle did. And like Gabby Giffords did. And like Tom Clements did. And like Michael Piemonte. And Joseph Wilcox.

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

For what it's worth, what these two achieved is viewed as a required step for one approach to making an ansible.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

If I jailbreak it, can I install iOS on an ansible?

Americans need to keep their guns so they can protect themselves from gun violence just like Nancy Lanza did. And like Chris Kyle did. And like Gabby Giffords did. And like Tom Clements did. And like Michael Piemonte. And Joseph Wilcox.

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

Originally Posted by bankside

If I jailbreak it, can I install iOS on an ansible?

???

How can you install anything on an ansible?

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

Originally Posted by Kulindahr

???

How can you install anything on an ansible?

LOL My humour falling a bit flat tonight. Was intended to make mock of the apple fanatics.

Americans need to keep their guns so they can protect themselves from gun violence just like Nancy Lanza did. And like Chris Kyle did. And like Gabby Giffords did. And like Tom Clements did. And like Michael Piemonte. And Joseph Wilcox.

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

Originally Posted by bankside

LOL My humour falling a bit flat tonight. Was intended to make mock of the apple fanatics.

Oh. I pay no attention to the humbugs behind the curtain.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

I don't know anything about this subject tough, it's almost biology for me.

Yeah, it's one of those places where chemistry and biology overlap. Of course in the end, everything in both is just molecular physics....

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Physics Nobel Prize 2012

Quantum mechanics wins the Physics Nobel? Not surprised. Science that cannot have an observable proof is all the rage.

Without quantum mechanics and advances therein on applications, we wouldn't have cell phones.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "